the obama administration and secretary clinton are to be commended for their policy of engagement that has produced real progress on the long road toward democracy. what an honor for us that the secretary is here. what a great honor for us that mrs. bush's here bringing the greetings of president bush. the united states has stood and stands for the freedom seeking people of burma in there just cause. i'm proud to say that northern california is home to the largest bernie's population in the nation. -- burmese population in the nation. the new yorkers think they might be. we are not competitive around here. [laughter] buddhism and its nonviolent tradition has been a source of strength for the nonviolent democracy movement in burma. but aung san suu kyi has seen her supporters beaten, tortured and killed. she has never responded with hatred and violence. she has asked only for peaceful dialogue and progress for democracy. she has always believed that the need for democracy for all the people of burma was more important than her personal need. indeed, she made great personal sacrifices in